Klesko to miss 2-4 months for shoulder surgery

SAN DIEGO -- Padres first baseman Ryan Klesko will have
surgery on his left shoulder Monday and expects to miss two to four
months.

Klesko has been bothered by soreness in his throwing shoulder
since late in spring training and started the season on the
disabled list. Klesko said doctors will shave the bone in his AC
joint to give him better range of motion.

Klesko had two cortisone shots in the shoulder recently and
considered playing through the pain. But he decided to have surgery
after the team's medical staff reviewed the results of an MRI from
earlier this week.

"It's probably best to go ahead and do it instead of having a
roller-coaster all year," Klesko said after San Diego's 10-4 loss
to Colorado on Friday night. "The MRI did not show very good
news."

Klesko, in the final year of his contract, said he hopes to
return around the All-Star break.

"Honestly, it's a big timetable," he said. "It's tough to
gauge. It'll be sore for a little bit. The muscles won't be shut
down around it. It's been a tough couple of weeks figuring out what
to do. I'm disappointed. I've never missed this much time during
the season."

Klesko has been bothered by back, neck and shoulder ailments the
past few years. He had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder
in September 2003.

In 2004, he hit a career-low nine homers. Last year, he led the
Padres with 18 homers but had a career-low .248 average.

Klesko, 34, was traded from Atlanta to San Diego in December
1999.

"I've had a great career," he said. "I'm happy with what I
have accomplished. I'm looking forward to being back and healthy."

Said manager Bruce Bochy: "At some point he can help the
ballclub where he's full strength. At what point, we don't know."

San Diego-area native Adrian Gonzalez opened the season at first
base. He was obtained from Texas in a six-player trade on Jan. 4.